Published: May 27, 2017, 11:26 PM (IST)
Edited: May 28, 2017, 12:23 AM (IST)
England, already with their tails up in the series, came out with all the confidence in the world against South Africa in the second One-Day International (ODI). It was the trio of Quinton de Kock, AB de Villiers and David Miller that kept the visitors in hunt across the 50 overs. De Kock’s knock of 98 set the stage for Miller to announce himself on international stage once again. He along with England’s nemesis from their last ODI encounter Chris Morris added 77 for the sixth wicket. Mark Wood came to England’s rescue in final over where he defended 7 runs to help themselves a series-win at The Rose Bowl, Southampton. The third and final ODI will be played on Monday at The Lord’s. FULL CRICKET SCORECARD: England vs South Africa, 2nd ODI
Chasing a target of 331, South African openers Hashim Amla and Quinton de Kock provided their side with a near-perfect start. The pair laid out rules that were simple; you miss, I hit. De Kock in particular was the aggressor in the initial half of the stand, but Amla soon joined in and punished anything loose. The pair added 54 runs for the first wicket before Amla handed Eoin Morgan his wicket away for 24. Ben Stokes was the beneficiary here.
Meanwhile, Stokes’ knee niggle continued to be an issue in the middle with regular meetings with the physio across overs.
De Kock was joined by Faf du Plessis in the middle. The pair batted with calmness in the middle to stitch a 37-run stand in as many deliveries without much fuss. For the second time in the series, Liam Plunkett got the better of du Plessis, who looked to guide the ball past third man handed a simple catch to keeper for 16.
Unfazed, de Kock notched-up his 13th ODI fifty, a run-a-ball affair, with skipper AB de Villiers at the other end. With the help of singles and few surreal boundaries, the pair of de Kock and de Villiers brought up their 50-run stand in no time.
De Villiers reached his 53rd ODI half-century in just 48 balls as South Afirca crusaded along the scoring rate. Once again it was Plunkett, who produced the faintest of edge to get rid of de Villiers batting on 52. His wicket saw the end of a 96-run third wicket stand.
Out-of-form David Miller came out in the middle. De Kock, looking to be super cheeky against Moeen Ali, handed Jos Buttler a simple catch behind. Trying to steer the ball past third man, de Kock managed to lay the slightest of edge and depart for a 103-ball 98.
Miller, still fresh in the middle, was joined by Farhaan Behardien. While Behardien continued to struggle, Miller ran riot on the England bowlers. Miller did not waste an inch of an opportunity to hit the ball out of the park. He reached his fifty in 34 balls.
Behardien’s horror stay came to an end after he was caught by Moeen on the thirty-yard circle. Hard-hitting all rounder Chris Morris came out in the middle to join Miller, who was by then looking in lip-smacking form. Morris, regardless of the required run-rate, brought out the long handle and hammered Plunkett for 10 runs in the 45th over.
The pair in no time brought up their 50-run stand in less than 30 balls. Morris, true to his reputation, played fearless cricket in the middle to award himself 36 runs of 22 balls. Miller along with Morris needed 7 runs to win in the last over, but Wood rose to the occasion and saw his through. England ended up winning the match by 2 runs and also took unassailable lead in the 3-match ODI series 2-0.
Earlier in the day, South Africa won the toss and asked England to bat first. Both sides made quite a few changes with the visitors leading with 3. Million Dollar Man Ben Stokes came to the party for England and made possible for the likes of Buttler and Moeen to play blistering innings. Stokes in the process ended up making 101; his second ODI ton. Morgan too played a steady hand of 45 but it was Buttler’s late blitz that helped the hosts reach 330.
Brief scores:
England 330 for 6 in 50 overs (Ben Stokes 101 , Jos Buttler 62* ; Kagiso Rabada 2 for 50 ) beat South Africa 328 for 5 in 50 overs (Quinton de Kock 98, David Miller 771*; Liam Plunkett 3 for 64) by 2 runs.
